She flew into his arms, and he spun her around until she was dizzy before gently setting her down. They kissed long and hard, the way she’d wanted to for months, before finally coming up for air.
Whoops and whistles echoed from the cowboys surrounding the chutes.
Warmth crept up her neck as she inhaled deeply the heady mixture of sweat and dust that clung to him.
He led her to the separate lobby near the back exit. “How long you been here, pretty lady?”
“I got here just in time to see some of the guys torturing those poor calves.” She smiled up at him.
He leaned his forehead against hers. “You’re really here. I never thought I’d lay eyes on you again at a rodeo.” He stiffened and released her.
The gulf between them widened.
Turning his attention to kicking at a clod of dirt someone had tracked in, he drawled, “What brings you here?”
“You. I love you.”
Surprise shone in his eyes. “And I love you, but we’re as different as a mule and an Arabian.”
She laughed. She’d missed his cowboyisms. “We’ll work it out.”
“I can’t quit.”
“I know.” She closed her eyes.
“My ride wasn’t good enough. I’ll probably get second.”
“You’ve got the rest of the season. And there’s always next year.”
His knuckles gently grazed her cheek as he searched her eyes. “You gonna be here next year?”
Time for the city girl to take the bull by the horns. “Will you marry me?”
“Yee-haaa!” He threw his hat in the air and spun her around again. “Ow, ow, ow. Wrong shoulder.” He set her down.
A worried frown drew his brows together. “Now don’t get mad. I’m having surgery at the end of this season.”
She traced his jaw with her fingertips. “And I’ll be there to make sure you do.”
❧
Clay stepped inside the ranch house.
“You look bull whipped.” Mama patted his cheek. “Your daddy’s in the den. I’ll get you a glass of tea.”
“Thanks, Mama.” He ambled down the hall.
Dad sat on the couch, and Clay sank into an oversized recliner across from him.
“Rayna showed up tonight. She proposed.”
“Has she come to terms with the rodeo?”
“Prayed her way through it.”
“I knew that girl was a smart one.” Dad propped his feet on the coffee table. “I reckon you were smart and said yes.”
“Oh yeah.”
Dad took a swig of his coffee. “You know, son, I should have told you something a long time ago.”
Clay frowned. “What?”
“Your mama and me raised you at the rodeo. It was our life, and that’s the way we both wanted it. Your mama was practically born and raised at the rodeo, and it never bothered her. I mean, she worries, but nothing she can’t handle.”
“Rayna’s different. She says I’m worth it, but I worry about the stress I cause her.”
“Me, too, son. Me, too.” Dad gulped more coffee. “You probably feel a certain amount of pressure to follow in my footsteps.”
Clay’s chest tightened. Words escaped him.
“You had a great season last year, son.” Dad leaned forward. “I don’t want you to ever feel like there’s a shadow you have to live up to. You’re your own man. Just because I won four Texas Circuit Finals and National Circuit Finals doesn’t mean you have to. If you get tired of the road, tired of traveling, tired of stressing the woman you love, you can quit. With my blessing.”
Footsteps sounded in the hall.
“Here we are.” Mama entered the room and handed Clay a glass. “Iced tea for one tired three-time CBR World Champ.”
The phone rang.
“Late for anybody to be calling.” Dad scooped up the handset. “Warren Dude Ranch.”
He covered the mouthpiece and grinned. “Lacie’s in labor.”
❧
Clay squeezed Rayna’s hand as they waited for their first glimpse of little Mel.
The night had been dreamlike. Had Rayna really proposed to this hunk of a cowboy? Clay brought out a side of her she didn’t recognize.
They’d seen Lacie, pain etched on her face, for a moment before she went into the birthing room. Long enough for Rayna to decide that when the time came, there would be nothing natural about her having a baby. She wanted drugs—and lots of them.
Finally, Star stepped out of Lacie’s room and gestured them in.
Lacie sat in her bed with a tiny bundle in her arms.
Rayna couldn’t take her eyes off the contented mother and child. A glance at Clay proved he couldn’t either.
A few minutes later, Clay and Rayna said their good-byes and left the family alone.
“Wow.” Clay took her hand as they walked out into the starlit night.
“Yeah.”
“If only Mel were here. It’s a shame.”
She laid her head against his shoulder.
❧
May 25. Rayna spent the morning of her wedding day in a flurry of activity. Back at the apartment with her hair piled high with curls and soft tendrils trailing down her neck, she packed the last of her things.
An eternity with the man she loved stretched before her. And rodeos. Lots of them, and she’d attend each event, praying them both through it, supporting the man she loved.
And thankfully, after his end-of-the-season surgery, for three glorious months she wouldn’t have to worry about him. Oh, she knew he’d probably push things and insist on competing before his doctor released him, even though it would cut his recovery time short. But they’d cross that divide when they came to it. And they’d work it out.
She checked her watch. In a few hours, she’d walk down the aisle and claim her cowboy. Lacie would serve as bridesmaid with Kendra, while Gabby would be matron of honor. Rayna had considered making them wear lace and organza but couldn’t bring herself to do it. Instead, she chose teal-green satin.
In his father’s stead, little Mel would be best man, while Ty and Stetson, the new rodeo clown—bullfighter—would serve as groomsmen. Kendra and Wyatt were still dating. Though he’d made no decision for Christ, he still attended church with her.
Rayna scanned the empty apartment. Some of her furniture had sold, and what she’d kept had already been moved to the ranch. Integrating her modern pieces with the rodeo look would be a challenge. But fun.
Strange. The condo had always been empty, but she’d never noticed until she met Clay. It was hard to imagine the lifestyle she’d thought she wanted, a career and a town house, with no husband or children. Thankfully, God had intervened for her.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Who is it?”
“A very eager groom.”
“What are you doing here?” She opened the door.
Clay flashed a mischievous grin. “I came to steal the bride away for a little while.”
“But we’re not supposed to see each other before the wedding.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Are you superstitious?”
“No.”
“What are we waiting for?”
“Where are we going?”
“Can’t tell you. I’ve got a wedding present for you.”
Intrigued, she wavered. “We have to be at the church soon.”
“Trust me. I’ll make sure we don’t miss our wedding.”
“Okay, carry the dress, but no peeking. You’re not seeing it until I walk down the aisle.”
“Scout’s honor.” He saluted with a wink and draped the long, vinyl zippered bag over his arm.
❧
“You can uncover your eyes now.” Clay’s drawl close to her ear sent shivers over her.
Rayna moved her hands away from her face. The Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth? Her blood boiled. “You’re in a rodeo? Today!”
“Of course not. Settle down. You’ll like this.”
Ins
tead of the usual trucks and horse trailers, cars jammed the back lot, along with several news vans.
“What’s going on?”
“Come on and you’ll see. Let’s hurry. We’ve got a wedding to get to.”
She took his hand and walked inside.
“There you are.” Billy Thornton, Clay’s publicist, looked relieved. “I thought you was gonna be late for your own press conference.”
“Press conference?” Oh, he’d signed with CWW for next year. She was proud of him, but it seemed an odd wedding gift.
“Play your cards right, and there’ll still be contracts and endorsements.” Billy clapped Clay on the back.
Rayna frowned as Billy led them through the lobby and into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. Why wouldn’t there be contracts and endorsements?
As soon as Clay became visible to the crowd, numerous flashes went off and reporters jockeyed with questions.
“Ladies and Gentlemen.” Billy held up both hands, trying to hush the crowd. “Thank you all for coming today. Mr. Warren has an announcement he’d like to make.”
Clay tucked Rayna’s hand into the crook of his arm.
“I’ll just stay in the background.” She tried to pull away.
“I want you by my side.”
Her stomach knotted.
“Come on. You don’t have to say a word. Just look pretty, and you don’t have to do anything to do that.” He winked.
She managed to dislodge her feet and walk to the microphone with him.
“Hey folks, thanks for coming. As everyone knows, it’s been a difficult year for me. We lost a good man and the best friend I ever had in Mel Gentry. I dedicated my season in honor of his memory, and I’m glad that with God’s help, so far, I’m doing him proud.”
Tears filled Rayna’s eyes as applause erupted.
Clay waited until the crowd quieted. “This is my fiancée, Rayna Landers. She’s been by my side through most of the last year, and it’s become apparent to me in recent months that there are more important things than the rodeo.”
Rayna gasped.
He turned toward her.
“Are you sure?” she mouthed.
He responded with a definite nod. “I’ve decided to retire. At the end of this season, win or lose, I’m officially retired.”
Hushed muttering arose from the crowd.
“Now I’m sure you have lots of questions, but Rayna and I have somewhere important to be, so Billy here will answer for me. I just want to say thanks to all the fans, and I’ll miss you.” With a wave, he winked at the crowd then ushered Rayna to the lobby.
Questions erupted from the floor.
“Now rest assured,” Billy said, “that our CBR World Champ will be happy to entertain endorsement offers after his contract with CWW expires at the end of the year.”
They hurried to the back exit. In the separate lobby, Rayna stopped.
“Don’t you think we’d better get to the church?”
“Are you sure about this?”
He cupped her face in his hands. “I’ve never been so positive about anything.”
“You don’t think you’ll miss the rodeo? I don’t want you to do this for me.”
“You did awhile back.”
“I guess I’ve done some soul-searching since then. It’s not fair for you to give up something you love because of me. You’ll end up resenting me, and I don’t want that. I’m fine with the rodeo.” She winced. “And I’m trusting God with our future. Everyone has a time to die, whether they ride bulls for a living or not.”
“True.” He kissed her forehead. “But I don’t want to miss out on loving you. Not for a second. And because I love you, I don’t want to spend time away from you traveling. I’m tired of the road and tired of causing you worry and torment. And I’m ready for this. Mel’s death proved to me the rodeo isn’t everything. Having a normal life, mundane and unexciting, sleeping with a wife you adore every night and raising kids together, that’s what I want.”
“What if you get bored?”
“Rayna Landers—soon to be Rayna Warren—you can be a lot of things, but never boring.”
Her vision blurred. “You’re sure about this.”
“This shoulder injury and little Mel’s birth helped the decision along. I want to be able to pick up our kids and toss them in the air. My dad could never do that. And I never wanted to outdo Dad. Three or four titles are plenty.”
She gently pressed her palm against his bad shoulder. “You’re still having surgery.”
“Right after I win the world title again.”
“What if you don’t win the title?”
“Either way, my heart’s just not in another season.” He sealed the deal with a toe-curling kiss.
When their lips parted, she had to cling to him just to stand up.
“Remember that vacation you never booked at the ranch?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m willing to give you lifetime room and board.” He winked.
She giggled. “Only until we build our cabin in the woods.”
“I thought you didn’t want to live anywhere near the woods.”
“It depends. Is there a cowboy included with the cabin in the woods?”
“Will just any cowboy do?”
She pressed her cheek against his heartbeat. “Only the most perfect cowboy in Texas will do.”
Her cowboy.
About the Author
Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom, pastor’s wife, and writer. When not writing, she runs circles in the care and feeding of her husband, Grant; their nine-year-old son; and their church congregation. Home is a central Arkansas zoo with two charcoal gray cats, a chocolate lab, and three dachshunds in weenie dog heaven. If given the chance to clean house or write, she’d rather write. Her goal is to hire Alice from The Brady Bunch.
Dedication
In memory of my father-in-law, Louis Vannatter, a Southern Baptist pastor for over forty years in the San Antonio, Texas, area until he went to be with the Lord. We had lots of wonderful Texas visits, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for the awesome gift of his son.
I appreciate DeeDee Barker-Wix, director of sales at the Cowtown Coliseum, for answering numerous questions over several months. I also appreciate Joe Hubb Baker—the Texas Kid—for his impromptu interview. I’d like to thank Aubrey City Hall secretary, Nancy Trammel-Downes, and Main Street Committee member, Deborah Goin, for sharing their knowledge of Aubrey’s Peanut Festival. DeeDee and Nancy went above the call and critiqued a few scenes.
A note from the Author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
Shannon Taylor Vannatter
Author Relations
PO Box 721
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
Rodeo Dust Page 17
